On more insightful dimensionless numbers for computational viscoelastic rheology

Abstract

Abrupt contraction flows involving viscoelastic fluids represent a longstanding computational challenge within the field of non-Newtonian fluid mechanics. Despite the apparent simplicity of the geometry, these flows have given rise to intricate discussions in the study of viscoelastic phenomena. This study aims to re-examine the numerical solutions for flows through abrupt contractions, offering a fresh interpretation through the lens of reformulated dimensionless numbers. These numbers are designed to consider the characteristic shear rate of the problem, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying dynamics. When investigating models with intermediate levels of complexity, such as the Giesekus and Phan-Thien-Tanner constitutive equations, the usual comparison with the corresponding Oldroyd-B model becomes inadequate because it tends to rely on the nominal relaxation time (λ) and the nominal total viscosity (η) instead of their effective counterparts when defining the Reynolds number (Re), the Weissenberg number (Wi) and the ratio of solvent to total viscosities (β) (β plays a role only in rheological models involving a solvent contribution). If these dimensionless numbers are tailored to account for the characteristic shear rate specific to the problem under investigation, the choice of the corresponding Oldroyd-B flow, at the adequate values of Re, Wi, and β allows for significantly better quantification of the correct effects of nonlinear viscoelasticity of the original model. We show the conventional approach tends to overemphasize the role of the nonlinear parameter in nonlinear constitutive equations, like the Giesekus and PTT models, when examining standard abrupt contraction flow outputs such as the Couette correction and vortex size. This overestimation occurs because the conventional method does not allow the Reynolds and Weissenberg numbers (and possibly β) to carry the portion of the nonlinear effect that can potentially be captured by the linear Oldroyd-B model through the use of characteristic shear rate-based values. We believe the present approach provides a better perspective of the role played by the nonlinear parameter and its extension to more general flows is also discussed.